Alex Palou Seizes 7th 2026 Pole for Freedom 250, Beating Kirkwood by 0.5668s

3 articles · Updated · Motorsport.com · Aug 22

56.899s put Alex Palou on pole for Sunday’s Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., his seventh pole of 2026 and first since Road America in June.
Palou dominated the Fast Six on used alternate tires, running second in the order and finishing more than half a second clear of Kyle Kirkwood, who had a brief lockup and settled for second at 57.4661s.
Scott McLaughlin qualified third at 57.6200s, Christian Rasmussen took a career-best fourth, and David Malukas’ heavy Turn 1 lockup left him sixth with a 1:10.6709 lap.
Earlier rounds were chaotic: Rasmussen grabbed the last Fast Six spot by 0.1151s over Pato O’Ward, while Kyffin Simpson’s wall hit and red flag cost Scott Dixon a final transfer attempt by 0.0093s.
The pole continues Palou’s commanding Washington weekend after he also led final practice, strengthening his position heading into the 250-mile street race.